Page 24

TWENTY-FOUR

WILLOW

After telling Ezra everything about that horrible night, I feel emotionally drained but also strangely lighter. It's as if a weight I've been carrying for years has finally been lifted.

Ezra holds me close, his strong arms wrapped protectively around me. For the first time in a long time, I feel truly safe.

"Thank you for trusting me with this," he says softly, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. "I know it couldn't have been easy to relive those memories."

I nod against his chest, breathing in his familiar scent. "It wasn't," I admit. "But I'm glad I told you. You deserved to know the truth."

We sit in comfortable silence for a while, both lost in our own thoughts. Finally, I voice the question that's been nagging at me.

"What happens now?" I ask, pulling back slightly to look at him.

Ezra's expression hardens, his eyes flashing with anger. "Now we make Lochlann pay for what he did to you."

A shiver runs down my spine. Part of me wants nothing more than to see Lochlann suffer for his crimes. But another part is terrified of the violence that will inevitably follow.

"Rogue," I say hesitantly. "I don't want you risking your life for revenge. Wren and I need you."

His face softens as he cups my cheek gently. "I know, Little Flower. But this isn't just about revenge. Lochlann is a threat to everyone we care about. We can't let him continue to hurt people."

I nod, knowing he's right. "Just promise me you'll be careful," I plead. "I can't lose you again."

"I promise," he says solemnly. "I'll always come back to you and Wren. Always."

As I lean in to kiss him, I'm struck by how much has changed between us in such a short time. The walls I've built up over the years are crumbling, and for the first time in a long time, I'm not fighting to keep them up.

Later that night, as I lay in bed with Rogue's arms around me, I think about the future. About Wren, about the family we could be. For the first time in years, I allow myself to hope.

But as I drift off to sleep, a small part of me can't help but worry. The Shadow Hawks are still out there, and Lochlann is more dangerous than ever. The tiny peace we have feels like it could shatter at any moment.

I just pray that whatever comes next, we'll be strong enough to face it together.

The next morning, I wake to find Ezra already gone. There's a note on the pillow next to me:

Gone to meet with the brothers. Didn't want to wake you. Stay safe. Love, E.

Part of me wishes he had woken me, but I’m glad he let me sleep. I'm still emotionally drained from our talk last night.

As I get dressed and prepare to face the day, I can't shake the feeling of unease that's settled over me. The Shadow Hawks are still out there, and now that Ezra knows the truth about what Lochlann did to me, I'm worried about what he might do.

I make my way to the common area, where I find Natalia already up and nursing a cup of tea. She looks up as I enter, her eyes searching my face.

"You okay?" she asks softly. "You look like you didn't get much sleep."

I sigh, sinking into the chair across from her. "Ezra and I talked last night. About... about what happened with Lochlann."

Natalia's eyes widen. "Oh, Will. How did he take it?"

"About as well as you'd expect," I say wryly. "He's furious. Wants to make Lochlann pay."

Natalia reaches across the table to squeeze my hand. "Can you blame him? If it were Ghost, I'd want the same thing."

I nod, knowing she's right. "I just... I'm scared, Nat. What if something happens to him? What if Lochlann hurts him too?"

"Rogue's tough," Natalia reminds me gently. "And he's got the whole club behind him. They'll keep him safe."

I try to take comfort in her words, but the knot of anxiety in my stomach refuses to ease. Before I can respond, Wren comes bounding into the room, her face lighting up when she sees me.

"Mama!" she exclaims, throwing herself into my arms. "Where's Daddy?"

The ease with which she calls Ezra 'Daddy' still takes me by surprise sometimes. "He had to go to a meeting, sweetheart," I tell her, smoothing her hair. "But he'll be back soon."

As Wren chatters away about her plans for the day, I try to push my worries aside and focus on her. She deserves a mother who's present and engaged, not lost in fears about what might happen.

But even as I smile and nod at her enthusiastic descriptions of the picture she wants to draw for Ezra, I can't shake the feeling that our fragile peace is about to be shattered.

Later that afternoon, as Wren naps and Natalia rests in her room, I find myself pacing the common area, unable to shake my restlessness. The clubhouse feels claustrophobic suddenly, the walls closing in on me.

Just as I'm considering sneaking out for some fresh air, the door creaks open. Ezra strides in, his face grim and his eyes blazing with barely contained fury.

"Ezra?" I say, alarmed by his expression. "What's wrong?"

He runs a hand through his hair, his jaw clenched tight. "Fuck, I shouldn’t be telling you," he says through gritted teeth. "Club business. But this puts our daughter and you at risk.” He takes a steadying breath. “He's planning something big, Willow. Something that could hurt you and Wren."

My heart races at his words. "What kind of something?"

Ezra hesitates, clearly torn about how much to tell me. Finally, he sighs. "The asshole only has a few members of the club left. They’ve brought a shipment of guns and explosives in. Enough to take out a fucking mall. We don’t know their exact plans, but we know it’s big and directed at us."

I feel the blood drain from my face. "Oh my god," I whisper. "Wren..."

Ezra pulls me into his arms, holding me tight. "We're not going to let that happen," he says fiercely. "We're going to stop him."

I pull back slightly to look up at him, fear gripping my heart. "How?"

His expression hardens. "We’re going to end this once and for all."

I know what he's not saying—that this plan is dangerous, potentially deadly. That he might not come back from it.

"Ezra, please," I plead, gripping his cut. "Don't do anything reckless. Wren and I need you."

His face softens as he cups my cheek. "I know, Little Flower. And I promise you, I'll do everything in my power to come back to you both. But I have to do this. I have to stop him before he hurts you again."

I nod, tears welling in my eyes. As much as I want to beg him to stay, to keep him safe by my side, I know I can't. This is who Ezra is—a protector, a man who will do whatever it takes to keep those he loves safe.

"Just... be careful," I whisper. "And come back to us."

Ezra pulls me close again, pressing a fierce kiss to my lips. "Always," he vows. "I'll always come back to you, Willow."

As he turns to leave, to join his brothers and face whatever danger lies ahead, I can't shake the feeling that everything is about to change. For better or worse, the next few days will determine our future.

All I can do now is pray that Ezra and his brothers will be successful, that they'll stop Lochlann before it's too late. And that when the dust settles, we'll still have a chance at the future we've only just begun to imagine together.

As the day wears on, the tension and worry start to take their toll. With Wren occupied by a movie and Natalia resting, I decide to try and relax with a hot bath.

I sink into the warm, lavender-scented water with a sigh, trying to let the heat ease some of the tightness from my muscles. As I close my eyes and lean back, my mind drifts to Ezra.

I think about his strong arms holding me last night, the gentleness in his touch despite the anger I know was simmering beneath the surface. The way his eyes softened when he looked at me, full of love and protectiveness.

Almost without realizing it, my hand starts to drift lower, skimming over my breasts and down my stomach. I imagine it's Ezra's hand touching me, his calloused fingers exploring my body.

A soft gasp escapes my lips as I let my fingers slip between my thighs. It's been so long since I've allowed myself to feel this way, to want like this. But now, with the memory of Ezra's kiss still fresh on my lips, I can't help myself.

I stroke myself slowly at first, teasing. In my mind, it's Ezra's fingers circling my clit, his lips trailing hot kisses down my neck. I arch into my own touch, biting my lip to keep quiet.

As the pleasure builds, my movements become more urgent. I imagine Ezra above me, his muscular body pressing me into the mattress as he thrusts into me. The thought sends a jolt of heat through me.

"Ezra," I whisper, my fingers working faster. I'm so close now, teetering on the edge of release.

With a muffled cry, I come undone, waves of pleasure washing over me. For a moment, I forget about all the danger and uncertainty. Everything just fades away for a brief moment.

As I catch my breath, reality slowly seeps back in. But I feel lighter somehow, some of the tension eased from my body.

Whatever happens next, I know one thing for certain: I'm not holding back any longer. The walls I built five years ago are almost crumbling to the ground. Ezra’s trying and it’s time I do too.

With renewed determination, I rise from the bath. It's time to face whatever comes next—together.